IB Biology HL 1.1.5 Applications of DNA profiling and STR evidence Question Bank
Practise IB Biology HL 1.1.5 by evaluating STR-based DNA profiling and its forensic or medical applications.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Course
- Biology HL
- Level
- HL
Exam points
- Analyse STR band patterns to support or reject a paternity or forensic match.
- Evaluate the strength of a DNA-profile conclusion using controls, sample quality and match probability.
- Explain a medical application of PCR or profiling while distinguishing amplification from identification.
D1.1.5—Applications question 1
[Maximum number: 5]
Describe how DNA profiling can be used to establish paternity.
a. DNA sample is collected from the child and its (potential) parents;
b. from saliva/mouth swab/blood/other body cells;
c. PCR used to amplify/produce more copies of the DNA;
d. short tandem repeats/genes consisting of a repeating sequence of bases repeats copied/used;
e. number of repeats varies between individuals;
f. unlikely that two individuals have same number of repeats for every gene included;
g. gel electrophoresis used to separate DNA fragments according to length/number of repeats;
h. gel electrophoresis generates a unique pattern of bands
i. DNA profile is the pattern of bands / diagram showing pattern of bands as in a DNA profile;
j. all bands in the child's profile must be in one of the parents' profiles / OWTTE;
5 max
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